Credited from: ALJAZEERA
Naomi Osaka produced a commanding performance, defeating third seed Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2, in the fourth round of the US Open, marking her return to major quarterfinals for the first time in over four years. Osaka's victory showcased her regained form, as she took control of the match from the outset while Gauff struggled with her game, leading to repeated errors, according to BBC and Reuters.
The match, held on September 1, 2025, was marked by Gauff's uncharacteristic 33 unforced errors compared to Osaka's 12. Gauff struggled notably with her forehand and serve throughout the match, leading to an early break of serve and contributing to her defeat against the experienced former champion, according to Le Monde and Huffpost.
Osaka expressed her joy after the match, noting, "I'm a little sensitive. I don't want to cry, but honestly, I just had so much fun out here." This encounter was their first meeting at the US Open since 2019, when Gauff, then 15, lost to Osaka, highlighting the high stakes of this encounter for both players, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.
With this victory, Osaka advanced to face Czech 11th seed Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals. Both players previously met in the 2023 French Open, positioning Osaka for a potential return to the championship form that earned her acclaim in previous years, according to Reuters and BBC.